SUMMIT PREVENTION ALLIANCE OFF THE MARK

Sensible Breckenridge appreciates the input of the Summit Prevention
Alliance (SPA). Sensible Breckenridge strongly agrees that youth
should not have access to marijuana. That's why the Breckenridge
initiative makes it clear that marijuana is illegal for anyone under
21. Moreover, it is already a felony under state law to provide minors
with marijuana, and Sensible Breckenridge supports that important law
to protect youth. The Breckenridge initiative changes nothing in
relation to youth, and any attempt to portray it otherwise is misleading.
%pD
As a parent of a 15-year-old high school student, it is clear to me
that prohibition has harmed our kids. National studies show that high
school students find marijuana easier to get than alcohol. The obvious
reason for this difference is that people must show an ID to get
alcohol. Drug dealers don't take IDs. Contrary to the myth that
marijuana is a gateway drug, prohibition itself is the gateway because
people looking for marijuana on the black market are exposed to other
harder drugs from unscrupulous drug dealers.

SPA suggests that marijuana must remain illegal so that children will
continue to view it as a very dangerous substance. This propaganda has
been so successful that children 12-17 recently told surveyors that
smoking marijuana is more dangerous than binge drinking five or more
drinks once or twice a week. Binge drinking, aside from potentially
leading to social problems such as DUI, domestic violence, sexual
assault and other acts of violence, can literally kill young people.
Clearly, marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol and should be
treated legally as such.

SPA should be walking hand in hand with Sensible Breckenridge to state
clearly that our current marijuana laws have not protected youth.
Unfortunately, they have resorted to tired rhetoric and defended a
failed system. I trust that Breckenridge voters will reject the failed
system by supporting marijuana law reform in the fall.

Sean T. McAllister

Breckenridge